Finnart Oil Terminal Purchase

I am today announcing that the Ministry of Defence has completed the purchase of Finnart oil terminal, representing a multimillion-pound investment in the west of Scotland.

This is a strategically important investment that strengthens the United Kingdom’s national security, reinforces our energy resilience, and underpins the operational effectiveness of the Royal Navy.

At a time of heightened global uncertainty—including instability in the middle east and increasing Russian aggression—this acquisition ensures that the Royal Navy can sustain operations in the north Atlantic and remain ready to respond to current and future threats. It increases the Royal Navy’s operational reach and secures a reliable fuel supply.

Crucially, this investment strengthens sovereign control over critical energy infrastructure while expanding the UK’s defence footprint in the region—directly supporting our NATO-first approach and our commitment to collective defence.

Finnart will play a vital role in ensuring that the United Kingdom is warfighting-ready. By expanding our fuel storage capacity, we are enhancing the resilience and endurance of our naval forces, in line with the First Sea Lord’s warfighting readiness plan.

The investment also delivers tangible benefits for the west of Scotland. As activity increases, the Finnart oil terminal will support a broader ecosystem of employment and skills development in local communities, while strengthening supply chains.

The Finnart oil terminal will be owned by the Ministry of Defence and managed by the Oil and Pipelines Agency, which has a strong track record of operating fuel infrastructure safely and securely across the defence estate. The site will continue to meet the highest regulatory and safety standards, ensuring reliable, robust support to the Royal Navy’s operational requirements.

This investment in the Finnart site will form part of the Clyde transformation programme—a multi-decade, multibillion-pound programme to regenerate HM Naval Base Clyde. Together with our broader investments in Scotland, including Project Royal Oak and the defence growth deal, this demonstrates the Government’s commitment to strengthening national security, supporting defence as an engine for growth, and investing in communities across the United Kingdom.

[HCWS247]